MALANTI’S ROAD TO REDEMPTION STARTS

MBABANE – Struggling Malanti Chiefs’ disastrous record of one win, three draws and 11 losses in 15 games this season is the worst record by any team in the opening half of the season since Gege Happy Stars failed to win a single game in the 1999-2000 season.

The Pigg’s Peak side, champions of the EswatiniBank Cup in 2008 after beating Royal Leopard 2-1 in the final, have been a pale shadow of themselves this season. One win over Manzini Wanderers on April 21 has been their only bright spot with draws against Sea Birds (1-1) on December 20, 2020, 1-1 against Mhlume Peacemakers on May 16 and then last Saturday’s goalless draw with Black Swallows meaning they have only collected a pitiable six out of a possible 45 points. No wonder they are at the basement of the log standings and if they were to move aside a bit, the whole log standing would come crushing down. Jokes aside, the Pigg’s Peak based outfit needs a win today like an astronaut needs oxygen and a fish needs water.

Coach Raymond Dlamini has been consistent that his team will turn the corner in the second round and that opportunity presents itself this afternoon against Tinyosi FC, who have lost the last three games including the biggest league loss in the MTN Eswatini-sponsored era when they were flummoxed 8-0 by first round title winners, Young Buffaloes on May 16 at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground.  

Hard

Tinyosi can be a hard nut to crack as Mbabane Swallows found out last Friday though they went home 1-0 victors. If Malanti Chiefs are to begin their road to redemption this is a game they need to record their second win of the season. In striker, Felisberto Bocuane, they might have found a phoney- version of a Charles Molopo. The Mozambican born striker has already netted four goals including the 87th minute winner in the only victory for the Dumsani Gumede-owned outfit against Manzini Wanderers this season on April 21. Tinyosi FC head coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane needs no reminder that being on the relegation trapdoor, fourth from the bottom, requires his team to notch up their fourth win of the season if they are to avoid a quick return to the murky waters of the National First Division League.

Hope

He will hope former Mbabane Highlanders and Moneni Pirates forward Mphucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini returns to form with the able assistance of another livewire in Njabulo Gama, who had a good start to the league but his performance has dropped with each passing game.

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